Shanty Creek Resort: 90 Holes, 5 Courses, and the Ultimate Northern Michigan Golf Experience
- Metro Detroit Golfers
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
When golfers think of Northern Michigan, premier courses instantly come to mind—but few destinations offer the complete, expansive experience like Shanty Creek Resort.
In a recent Lesson on Golf segment, Marketing Director Lindsey Southwell shared why Shanty Creek continues to stand out as one of the top all-around golf and family destinations in the Midwest.
Shanty Creek’s roots are deeply tied to the rolling hills of Bellaire, Michigan. While the resort is widely known as a premier winter sports destination, the property has evolved over the decades into a massive, four-season golf mecca spanning roughly eight square miles.
Today, the resort features 90 holes of championship golf across five distinct layouts:
Cedar River: A highly popular Tom Weiskopf design that rewards strategic shot-making with incredible player-friendly conditions.
The Legend: An iconic Arnold Palmer course that originally launched the Northern Michigan golf boom.
Schuss Mountain: A scenic and challenging course featuring classic tree-lined fairways and elevation changes.
Hawk's Eye: A spectacular, top-tier addition to the resort’s portfolio that has received incredible reviews from golfers.
The Summit: A shorter, family-friendly layout that serves as the perfect introduction to the game.
As the winter season wraps up, the transition from skiing into golf begins, bringing the entire property to life for spring.
Golf Season in Northern Michigan
Like most Northern Michigan destinations, opening dates depend heavily on early-spring conditions. While recent rain and chilly starts are common in Bellaire, the moisture keeps the courses incredibly green and in top-tier condition for the season ahead.
Current status:
All five championship courses are officially open for the season.
May is projected to offer excellent early-season conditions for visiting golfers.
For players, the late spring and early summer months offer some of the most scenic golf in the state, along with the distinct advantage of long daylight hours.
Built for More Than Just a Round of Golf
What separates Shanty Creek from a typical golf destination is the sheer scale of the property and its vast array of amenities.
The resort is designed as a complete stay-and-play environment, offering:
On-site lodging spanning over 250 options, including standard guest rooms with lake views and expansive condominiums.
Multiple dining options, a fitness center, and full resort amenities.
Outstanding scenic views, including stunning sunsets over Lake Bellaire from the flagship Lakeview Hotel.
Because Shanty Creek sits on the western edge of the Eastern Time Zone, daylight lasts until 10:30 PM in June and July. This unique geographical advantage allows passionate golfers to comfortably play up to 54 holes in a single day.
A Prime Northern Michigan Base Camp
Located in beautiful Bellaire, Shanty Creek Resort sits in a highly accessible region of the state:
About 3 to 3.5 hours from Metro Detroit.
Centrally located in Antrim County, serving as the perfect gateway to Northern Michigan.
That positioning makes the resort a premier destination for travelers coming from all over the Midwest, the southern United States, and Canada who are looking for a cool, scenic summer getaway.
Ideal for Groups, Families, and Golf Trips
Shanty Creek Resort has earned its reputation as a leading destination for multi-day trips and gatherings in Michigan.
With its diverse lodging and a high concentration of five championship courses within an eight-square-mile radius, it works perfectly for:
Dedicated buddy golf trips.
Family vacations and reunions.
Couples looking for a scenic Stay + Play retreat.
Whether you are competing against the course, your friends, or just trying to avoid a three-putt, Shanty Creek provides a balance of top-tier golf and off-course relaxation that is hard to match anywhere else in the state.
Lesson on Golf is hosted by Jeff Lesson and produced by Make The Turn, the team behind Metro Detroit Golfers—one of the largest golf communities in Michigan.
The show highlights courses, destinations, and golf experiences across the state.
👉 Explore more episodes and featured destinations on the Metro Detroit Golfers YouTube channel.